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Classic Car Overview

1933 Packard Twelve $102,500

Saint Louis, MO
Black

The beautiful Packard Tenth Series was introduced in 1933 at the 33rd National Automobile Show. The entire model range had been revamped with new styling and new names. The old Standard Eight Deluxe Eight and Twin-Six nomenclature was dropped for the simpler Eight Super Eight and Twelve. Packard execs felt the new names were more upscale and helped differentiate Packard from entry-level eight cylinder cars from the likes of Ford. Names aside the new Tenth Series featured the first hints of streamline styling trends that were creeping into automobile design at the time. Front fenders were skirted for a fuller look and the radiator grille featured a Vee-design. Beneath the body was a new X-member frame 17-inch wheels and refinements to the adjustable power braking and ride control systems. The flagship of the fleet was the Twelve available as the Model 1005 on a 142-inch wheelbase or the Model 1006 on the 147-inch wheelbase. With the 1005 buyers had eleven body styles to choose from while the 1006 was only offered in two formal limousine styles. Interestingly Packard produced the 10th Series for only eight months until the 11th series replaced it. As a result just 525 Twelves were built in 1933.This 1933 Packard Twelve 1005 wears handsome Club Sedan coachwork from the factory catalog and is one of only a handful of known survivors. This lifelong California car was first sold in August 1933 via Earle C. Anthony s Los Angeles showroom though little of its subsequent early history is known. In February 1979 this car surfaced in a classified ad in the LA Times. The advertisement described the car as one of 5 known examples and while it was mostly complete it was in need of a total restoration.An artist avid car collector and restorer from nearby Altadena California Mr. Ron Lawless recognized the rarity and importance of the car and soon brought the derelict Packard home. The late Mr. Lawless would restore the car himself over a ten year period painstakingly disassembling it down to a bare chassis and rebuilding every component along the way. Period photos show the car was complete but rough requiring considerable effort to return it to its former elegance. While indeed an ambitious project Mr. Lawless was up to the task and the results are truly outstanding. He would go on to enjoy his finely restored Packard for nearly 40 years.With the restoration completed by the late 1980s Ron showed his Packard extensively on the West Coast earning numerous awards along the way. In 1989 the Packard was entered in a CCCA Grand Classic where it received a National First Prize and Senior badge. As late as 2009 it was still being shown winning its class at the LA Concours.Today the restoration has matured and the car has taken on a very pleasing and attractive patina. The Club Sedan coachwork is understated and handsome and the bodywork appears straight tidy and exhibits sound fit and finish a testament quality of the original restoration. The black paintwork is glossy and attractive with some minor cracking visible in the lacquer in places. This car is well equipped with dampened bumpers (standard on the Twelve and optional on the Super Eight) dual side-mount spare wheels with painted covers trunk rack and dual chrome trumpet horns. The chrome is very good overall with bumpers and headlamps in excellent condition and only some minor pitting found on smaller parts.Packard intended the Club Sedan to be a luxury car for the owner-driver so accommodations in the front and rear are generous and comfortable. The cabin is trimmed in lovely blue-gray fabric in both front and rear with complementary carpet and headlining. The upholstery is remarkably well-preserved for what is nearly a 30-year-old restoration appearing clean tidy and generally free of excessive wear. Restored woodwork surrounds the windows while wood-grained metal panels (Mr. Lawless specialty) dress instrument panel. Factory correct switches controls and Waltham instruments all present in fine condition.Under the hood rests Packard s sublime 445.5 cubic-inch L-head V12 producing 160 horsepower in standard form. Photos show the engine was rebuilt at the time of the restoration and it remains appropriately detailed in proper Packard green with period correct plumbing and hardware. Some of the enamel on the manifolds has worn off in the course of moderate use which is not out of the ordinary for an older restoration. Otherwise the finishes and detailing remain in very good order. It is a delight to drive with prodigious power and the smooth easy-driving nature that is expected from a Packard of this era.Rare and elegant this Packard Twelve has been well-maintained and enjoyed by a dedicated enthusiast for the past 40 years. Its charming care-worn patina and usable nature make it a prime candidate for AACA tours CCCA CARavan touring or similar driving events and is sure to entertain its next keeper for many more years.